Newark gets short end in Prudential Center revenue share ruling

[Zubie#8]

When asked "what future legal actions will you take" Booker said, "I'm appealing Vanderbeeks morality"......

And later he goes on to say that Newark is currently undergoing its greatest growth in 50 years, new hotels, new businesses. Hmm I wonder why these hotels and businesses are popping up, oh yeah the Prudential Center. This guy has his head so far up his you know what.

Edited April 5, 2012 by Zubie#8

[devlman]

had everything gone well for vanderbeek, he probably would've followed through on his promise. but instead vanderbeek is low on funds and desperate to sell the team.

Right. And why would JVB invest in these community projects when there is a large financial case bw him and the City up in the air? Its only been five years and the case has just been resolved recently. Booker is out of control.

Btw I would think that Newark has more than made back its $210 million investment in taxes coming from redevelopment in the area. And they continue to get visibility, promotion out of the arena, in addition to the parking revenue and payroll taxes, etc...The Pru has been great for Newark. Booker even acknoweldged the 'collateral benefits'...but he's fussing about community playgrounds not being built and an arbitration case going against him?

Edited April 5, 2012 by devlman

[MadDog2020]

"He’s sitting pretty in his fancy office waiting for us to write him more checks? Hell no." Booker said. "It is time that we had justice from this building."

I found this quote particularly hysterical.

[Neb00rs]

"He’s sitting pretty in his fancy office waiting for us to write him more checks? Hell no." Booker said. "It is time that we had justice from this building."

I found this quote particularly hysterical.

A large portion of the thousands on this board go to Newark and spend money every few days because of that building.

[Mayday]

[Marv4Life]

Again, he can't be this stupid. He knows the Rock's been an economic boon for the city. It's just that he can't publicly embrace it and just act content with the decision for the fear of pissing off the people whom he's trying the serve, especially the Sharpe/Baraka cheerleaders. Plus it would show he's a weak business negotiator to places like Panasonic, etc.

[Triumph]

A large portion of the thousands on this board go to Newark and spend money every few days because of that building.

yeah, and most of that money is spent in the building. arenas are not, generally, a good deal for cities.

edit: i'm not saying booker is right, but gimme a break - vanderbeek is clearly a charlatan of the highest order.

Edited April 5, 2012 by Triumph

[Satans Hockey]

Fixed that for you...

[msweet]

yeah, and most of that money is spent in the building. arenas are not, generally, a good deal for cities.

Most of the money maybe, but there is a ton still spent around.... look at all of the new businesses and eateries around the arena. Practically every month a new business or new housing opens up around there.

And I'm guessing many of the staff at Pru center are Newark residents. Booker admitted the Arena is great for Newark.

He just wants to share more of the wealth (which an unbiased arbitrator decided Newark was not entitled to) and my issue is with the personal attacks... If Vanderbeek called out Booker the same way he'd have been called racist.

That was unprofessional, insulting to someone who has helped Newark, and inappropriate for a Mayor.

[Blown01NJ]

Again, I dont understand this:

"The city will still take much of the parking revenue from around the arena, as well as payroll taxes from players and hotel taxes. "

Where's that money coming from if the lots are operated by private companies?

Edited April 5, 2012 by Blown01NJ

[Neb00rs]

yeah, and most of that money is spent in the building. arenas are not, generally, a good deal for cities.

edit: i'm not saying booker is right, but gimme a break - vanderbeek is clearly a charlatan of the highest order.

This has nothing to do with Vanderbeek being dishonest Tri. He is a "charlatan", that's fine. No one should deny Vanderbeek isn't exactly an angel here.

The issue is that Booker is being completely unprofessional and throwing a tantrum about what's going on, when he himself has no right to even complain. He is using this opportunity to make the Devils' organization look bad - as he never liked us there in the first place.

The whole area of Newark around the arena is revitalized because of the rock and many people foreign to Newark, including myself, now go to restaurants there and know the area.

Booker is completely wrong to throw a tantrum about something that happens in business all the time. Boohoo Cory, you didn't get a ruling you like so now you're going to go out and not just complain but vilify Vanderbeek with the melodrama of a good Shakespearean tragedy.

But, like I said, Booker is just happy to get a chance to turn his constituency against the Devils organization and make them seem like they are the rich guys oppressing the poor citizens of Newark.

Then, taking to social media and propping up anybody who insults Jeff Vanderbeek personally with 'retweets" and the such is about as immature and shameful as it gets. The Devils organization has changed Newark for the better - something that seemed impossible only a few years ago - Where is Booker's presser touting the organization for that?

[Triumph]

Most of the money maybe, but there is a ton still spent around.... look at all of the new businesses and eateries around the arena. Practically every month a new business or new housing opens up around there.

And I'm guessing many of the staff at Pru center are Newark residents. Booker admitted the Arena is great for Newark.

He just wants to share more of the wealth (which an unbiased arbitrator decided Newark was not entitled to) and my issue is with the personal attacks... If Vanderbeek called out Booker the same way he'd have been called racist.

That was unprofessional, insulting to someone who has helped Newark, and inappropriate for a Mayor.

Great, but you're ignoring the cost to build the arena, which is enormous. If Newark hadn't spent dollar one on the building of the arena, I'd agree, any problems they had with Vanderbeek would be rather outrageous.

[msweet]

Great, but you're ignoring the cost to build the arena, which is enormous. If Newark hadn't spent dollar one on the building of the arena, I'd agree, any problems they had with Vanderbeek would be rather outrageous.

I'll bet they will get their money back. Booker is just being a greedy socialist.

The area was a slum, right in the middle of their downtown. What is the value to the city when Panasonic agrees to move their US headquarters there in large part because of what the Devils did there? There are so many ancillary benefits it actually can't be measured.

Booker is completely wrong to throw a tantrum about something that happens in business all the time. Boohoo Cory, you didn't get a ruling you like so now you're going to go out and not just complain but vilify Vanderbeek with the melodrama of a good Shakespearean tragedy.

But, like I said, Booker is just happy to get a chance to turn his constituency against the Devils organization and make them seem like they are the rich guys oppressing the poor citizens of Newark.

Then, taking to social media and propping up anybody who insults Jeff Vanderbeek personally with 'retweets" and the such is about as immature and shameful as it gets. The Devils organization has changed Newark for the better - something that seemed impossible only a few years ago - Where is Booker's presser touting the organization for that?

I can't say it better than that

[Marv4Life]

The issue is that Booker is being completely unprofessional and throwing a tantrum about what's going on, when he himself has no right to even complain. He is using this opportunity to make the Devils' organization look bad - as he never liked us there in the first place.

His issue isn't with the Devils themselves. It's with VBK. But like I said this is just political grandstanding. He knows how the arena's helped Newark(especially the downtown) but because of who his base is he can't just publicly express it.

[maxpower]

Great, but you're ignoring the cost to build the arena, which is enormous. If Newark hadn't spent dollar one on the building of the arena, I'd agree, any problems they had with Vanderbeek would be rather outrageous.

Well, Newark probably never actually did spend dollar one on the building of the arena. Projects surrounding it, yes, but I have a feeling there's alot of shady things that went on to get Newark their money. Just from the people involved in the process, and the utter awfulness of the lease from Newark's perspective.

[devlman]

Just to refresh anyone who doesnt remember: Newark's money for the arena came from a once-every-25-year payment (could be wrong on the year amount) the Port of Newark gives the city, so this was not money they took away from their usual annual budget.

Edited April 5, 2012 by devlman

[sundstrom]

Just to refresh anyone who doesnt remember: Newark's money for the arena came from a once-every-25-year payment (could be wrong on the year amount) the Port of Newark gives the city, so this was not money they took away from their usual annual budget.

while true, i would not be surprised if they actually did budget it in somewhere and the argument can still be made (not that i agree with it necessarily) that the money could've been better spent on schools/infrastructure/development, etc.

area revitalization takes time.

[Daniel]

Just to refresh anyone who doesnt remember: Newark's money for the arena came from a once-every-25-year payment (could be wrong on the year amount) the Port of Newark gives the city, so this was not money they took away from their usual annual budget.

Distinction without a difference. Like saying that it doesn't matter if you blow your bonus in Atlantic City, since it isn't part of your regular salary.

The Rock has also been an unmitigated disaster for Newark. Besides maybe a handful of restaurants and the dumpy souveneir stand in Gateway Plaza, no businesses have been attracted to Neeark as a result. Someone mentioned Panasonic moving to Newark. It didn't relocate because of a sports arena. It got a much lower tax bill from the state to move to Newark.

[Derlique]

Distinction without a difference. Like saying that it doesn't matter if you blow your bonus in Atlantic City, since it isn't part of your regular salary.

The Rock has also been an unmitigated disaster for Newark. Besides maybe a handful of restaurants and the dumpy souveneir stand in Gateway Plaza, no businesses have been attracted to Neeark as a result. Someone mentioned Panasonic moving to Newark. It didn't relocate because of a sports arena. It got a much lower tax bill from the state to move to Newark.

I think part of it could be that businessmen and small business owners are waiting to see how well new restaurants and companies are doing. Of course the fact that the economy sucks is probably another reason why no one is taking risks but that's for another day

[Marv4Life]

The Rock has also been an unmitigated disaster for Newark. Besides maybe a handful of restaurants and the dumpy souveneir stand in Gateway Plaza, no businesses have been attracted to Neeark as a result.

There are 2 hotels on the Broad Street side of the arena being constructed/worked on as we speak which wouldn't be there if not for the arena; same with Richardson Lofts, new housing on Edison Place and soon on Market St, audible.com while not next to the arena moved in soon after the place was built, plus who knows how many businesses have moved to the Gateway, Park Place, etc. due to close proximity to the arena. And because of the arena 9 new restaurants/bars(which don't include Ironbound, I'm talking about downtown) have opened up or is about to open(Dinosaur BBQ) with more to follow on Market St, which is more than a handful. Coupled with the revenue the city is getting from sources because of the Rock I don't know how is the place a disaster for Newark. The economy hasn't helped but it hasn't been a "disaster" lol.

Edited April 5, 2012 by Marv4Life

['7']

all I know is that every Devils game night(and not to mention other events...circus, concerts) there are at least 14,000 people in the city of newark that would normally not venture anywhere near that sh!thole.

Tri is right, much of the cash is spent in the arena...but that depends on the city. You put a nice arena in a nice booming, clean, attractive city and all of a sudden more dollars are being spent in malls and eateries and whatever other nice little attractions there are. And the thousands that are streaming in every day are like "oh let's get some x here, then some y here...then we can go see local sports teams game" then that money being spent on the city will quickly offset what the city spent to build the arena

With newark it's like "ok...in and out as fast as we can"

you can't put it all on vanderbeek booker...you have to fix up your stinkhole just a little bit.

Edited April 5, 2012 by '7'

[Satans Hockey]

all I know is that every Devils game night(and not to mention other events...circus, concerts) there are at least 14,000 people in the city of newark that would normally not venture anywhere near that sh!thole.

Tri is right, much of the cash is spent in the arena...but that depends on the city. You put a nice arena in a nice booming, clean, attractive city and all of a sudden more dollars are being spent in malls and eateries and whatever other nice little attractions there are. And the thousands that are streaming in every day are like "oh let's get some x here, then some y here...then we can go see local sports teams game" then that money being spent on the city will quickly offset what the city spent to build the arena

With newark it's like "ok...in and out as fast as we can"

you can't put it all on vanderbeek booker...you have to fix up your stinkhole just a little bit.

Amen to that, I'm also in and out of there as quickly as possible and I don't spend any money in the area around the arena but I also don't spend any money in the arena other then my ticket.

I know the Ironbound and some sections have good restaurants, I just don't really care cause I have no desire to be in Newark any longer then I have to. Same thing goes for the Red Bulls games over in Harrison.

[Marv4Life]

Tri is right, much of the cash is spent in the arena...but that depends on the city. You put a nice arena in a nice booming, clean, attractive city and all of a sudden more dollars are being spent in malls and eateries and whatever other nice little attractions there are. And the thousands that are streaming in every day are like "oh let's get some x here, then some y here...then we can go see local sports teams game" then that money being spent on the city will quickly offset what the city spent to build the arena

With newark it's like "ok...in and out as fast as we can"

Except most arenas aren't put in clean, booming cities and areas to begin with. The development comes after the arena is built, and sometimes it takes awhile. Look at Verizon Center, Camden Yards, the stadium and arena in Cleveland, Pepsi Center and Coors Field, Staples Center, the AAC in Miami, all were built in dumps, some worse than where the Pru is located.

Edited April 5, 2012 by Marv4Life

['7']

Except most arenas aren't put in clean, booming cities and areas to begin with. The development comes after the arena is built, and sometimes it takes awhile. Look at Verizon Center, Camden Yards, the stadium and arena in Cleveland, Pepsi Center and Coors Field, Staples Center, the AAC in Miami, are were built in dumps, some worse than where the Pru is located.

the only dump I can think of worse than newark is like camden...or detroit anyway...sometimes the arena/stadium is part of a comprehensive redevelopment package and it does work out. Camden yards worked out.

But it's been what 5 years already for the Pru Center? I really don't think a nice family of 4 enjoys walking past the nightly crackhead convention at Newark Penn on the way to that game. This stuff needs to be gone or relocated by now.

[DevsMan84]

Except most arenas aren't put in clean, booming cities and areas to begin with. The development comes after the arena is built, and sometimes it takes awhile. Look at Verizon Center, Camden Yards, the stadium and arena in Cleveland, Pepsi Center and Coors Field, Staples Center, the AAC in Miami, all were built in dumps, some worse than where the Pru is located.

I've been to the Pepsi center, coord field, Camden yards, AAC in Miami and Camden yards areas in their cities in the early years of those arenas/stadiums existence and the area around them were not nearly as bad as Newark.